Beauty

Sonam Kapoor Ahuja on skincare, happiness and her signature fragrances

The Chopard loyalist let us in on all the things that bring her joy

By
ELLE Team May 10, 2019

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Sun-ripened berries, powdery roses, and citruses from southern Italy set up a cheery mood for the Swiss jewellery brand’s return to fragrances. Aptly called Happy Chopard collection, the line features two delicious fragrances, Lemon Dulci and Felicia Roses that promise to warm the cockles of your heart and uplift your spirits. The duo fall in line with Chopard’s commitment to sustainable luxury and feature compositions of natural essential oils. At the collection’s launch in India, we caught up with actor and Chopard loyalist, Sonam K Ahuja to share her top fragrance advice and what makes her happy.

ELLE: What do you think about the new Chopard fragrances?Sonam K Ahuja: I really appreciate the brand’s effort in creating sustainable fragrances. You can instantly tell that they’re made from quality natural ingredients from how good they smell. While Lemon Dulci is great to wear during the day, I actually prefer a combination of both through summer. I wear the rose first and then accent it with the lemon. If I had to pick just one, I’m partial to Felicia Roses. It reminds me of the traditional Indian attars, but a fresher, modern interpretation.

ELLE: Your top tip to apply perfume...SKA: Since most fragrances are synthetic, I’m usually apprehensive about wearing it directly on my skin. But the Happy collection is largely made of natural elements, so I wear it on my pulse points—neck, wrists and ankles—and also on my clothes.

ELLE: What is your earliest fragrance memory?SKA: My mom used to wear a lot of sandalwood and jasmine essential oils, and that has inspired me to wear scented oils as well.

ELLE: Do you remember the first time you wore Chopard?SKA: I’ve been wearing the jewellery at the Cannes film festival for the past 10 years. It’s a cool brand, but also timeless and that’s a very rare combination. In fact, my mum used to have a gorgeous gold Chopard necklace. It was a beautiful chain with a glass medallion strung through it. I had borrowed it from her and broke it soon after; I’m sure she must have been very upset.

ELLE: Describe a happy day.SKA: It’s a combination of going to work, meeting my husband for lunch, and then spending the evening with him as well—that’s a nice feeling. We work in different countries, so it would be a treat to spend an evening together just watching a movie.

ELLE: How do you release stress?SKA: It’s tough for me to fight off stress when I’m at work, but I've found that nature has a very therapeutic effect on me. Just being around greenery has a calming effect—the walls and curtains in my room are also green. I also like to live close to the water, so that I can see the horizon and hear the waves—it immediately puts my mind at peace. When I’m travelling, I try to get out as much as possible.

ELLE: What’s your daily skincare regime?SKA: Sunblock is the most important part of my routine. As Indians, we’re predisposed to pigmentation, and sunscreen helps protect against it. Our skin is a reflection of what’s going on inside our bodies, so I make sure I eat right. This means not eating sugar, staying hydrated and drinking lemon-infused water in the morning.

ELLE: How do you practice selfcare with a busy schedule?SKA: If you want to be productive through the day, it’s very important to spend some time taking care of yourself, whether it’s to exercise or eat breakfast. And don’t look at your phone in the morning, otherwise you’ll never get out of bed on time. I follow a few simple things, like making sure I’m drinking enough water through the day. I use a lot of coconut or almond oil to keep my skin and hair nourished. I also practice dry brushing every morning to help circulation.

ELLE: What’s your green beauty move?SKA: I’m trying to make a slow move towards following an eco-conscious lifestyle, and I’m doing it one small step at a time. For starters, I’m looking up the origins of everything that I consume, whether it’s beauty, fashion or food. I’m also trying to ensure that whatever I buy has been ethically sourced.

ELLE: You work with some of the best people in the beauty industry. What are some of the tips you’ve picked up along the way?SKA: I’ve always had long hair, but I’ve learnt that I need to get regular cuts to keep it healthy— a lot of women are scared to chop off their length. Another advice is to pick products that are good quality and trust-worthy, like a natural fragrance.